The First Day of School, Jean Baptiste Vanmour, c. 1720 - c. 1737

A mother, accompanied by a group of women, brings her daughter to school for the first time. That the women are Turkish can be seen from their colourful clothing and the yellow slippers that sumptuary laws (dress codes) allowed only Muslims to wear. A servant carries the girl’s embroidery frame. Needlework was a favourite pastime of women in affluent Turkish circles. Slaves did the household chores.